Goods display unit

ABSTRACT

A commodity display unit has at least two forward delivery rail frames, each having a plurality of rollers mounted thereon and inclined downwardly. There are at least two side panel sections, one of each being disposed in a middle portion of each of the rail frames and configured to guide therebetween a plurality of commodities over a space separating two adjacent rail frames. There are also at least two end plates, one of each being disposed on each of the side panel sections and being positioned at a rear part of the rail frames. A distance between two adjacent side panel sections may be adjusted to accommodate a width of the plurality of commodities being guided therebetween over the space separating the two adjacent rail frames by moving at least one of the two adjacent rail frames laterally towards or away from the other of the two adjacent rail frames.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a commodity display unit to be placed ondisplay shelves in a shop when used and to enable the commoditiesinvolved to be advanced to the front side thereof.

2. Technical Background

Conventionally, in a mass sales store such as a supermarket ordrugstore, various kinds of commodities are plentifully displayed oneach display shelf in a commodity display case 50 shown in FIG. 27,where the commodities start to sell from the front displayed ones andinevitably it gives rise to an air space in the front section andresults in needing what is called the commodity-advancing work of movingthe deeply placed commodities forward. Hence, there are presented lotsof commodity display shelves or devices each provided with an automaticor semiautomatic commodity-advancing function. For example, there existsa displayed commodity take-out unit 51 having a number of rotatingrollers mounted in the form of sloping downward and frontward on thebottom of a commodity display case (Japanese Laid-Open PatentPublication No. 8-24091).

However, in the displayed commodity take-out unit 51, both the sidepanels 52 a and 52 b each provided with a function of separating thecommodities are fixedly disposed thereon opposite to each other; theunit 51 can display such a commodity suited for the width between theside panels; however, a commodity having a larger size than the widthneeds a different unit suitable for its own size. Accordingly, it isnecessary to sort various kinds of commodity take-out units, and itcauses such a problem that the inventory management or the like becomescomplicated. Also, because the rotating rollers mounted in the form ofsloping downward and frontward on the bottom of the commodity displaycase are laid on the whole surface of the bottom, there is a problem ofinevitably increasing the manufacturing cost.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide aninexpensive and adjustable commodity display unit easy to use ininventory management, readily changeable in design in compliance withthe size of the commodity to be displayed, and allowing the rotatingrollers to be thinned out.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a commoditydisplay unit enabling the commodities therein to be smoothly andautomatically advanced to the front side of the unit, wherein thepartition panel for each commodity is freely adjustable in conformitywith the width of the commodity and even a commodity with a highercenter of gravity is prevented from falling frontward.

Under such circumstances, the inventor has reached the completion of thepresent invention by discovering the following as a result of energeticinvestigations: a frontal advancing device for each commodity is formedby using a forward delivery rail frame provided with such a side panelin the middle position of the frame as to provide a partition along oneside of the commodity; there is prepared a positioning and fixing devicedesigned to determine a distance between the partition panels and toconnect the frontal advancing devices to each other for positioning andfixing; thus, a commodity display unit united into one body is obtainedby providing the frontal advancing device with the positioning andfixing device, or else another commodity display unit as a combinationis obtained by employing the frontal advancing device and thepositioning and fixing device separately; therefore, a distance betweenthe partition panels can be set without restraint according to the sizeof the commodity; also, such commodity display units each united intoone body may be added to the thus obtained units in sequence inconformity with the number of the kinds of commodities; and then thereis no more need to store lots of commodity display units for the variouskinds of commodities and positioning and fixing devices different insize for inventory management.

In other words, the present invention provides a commodity display unitwhich comprises a forward delivery rail frame having lots of rollersmounted on the rail frame in the form of descending frontward, and aside panel section detachably or undetachably formed in the middleportion of the rail frame for guiding the commodities; wherein two ormore of the rail frames are used as a combination in the commoditydisplay unit; a commodity fall-down preventing section is installed inthe front section of a commodity display shelf; a pitch-fixing plate isprovided for positioning the forward delivery rail frame; and, wherein adistance between the side panels suitable for the size of the commodityis set without restraint by selecting a pitch of the pitch fixing platealong with combining the two or more forward delivery rail frames withone another. On the basis of such a constitution, two or more of theforward delivery rail frames are appropriately combined with one anotherfor forming a commodity display space suitable for the size of thecommodities to be displayed, and juxtaposed in the form of slopingdownward and frontward.

According to this arrangement, the side panel of one forward deliveryrail frame provides a partition along one side of the commodity; theside panel of another forward delivery rail frame provides a partitionalong the other side of the commodity; and hence the two rail framesenable a column of the commodities to be frontally advanced in the formof being displayed. Also, such a display unit is easy in inventorymanagement and readily changeable in design. As for a commodity neverneeding to contact the rollers in the middle portion between the sidepanels, e.g., a canned product having a broad bottom, the two forwarddelivery rail frames can be separately installed, and it is possible tothin out the rotating rollers, thus rendering the resultant commoditydisplay unit inexpensive.

Also, the present invention provides a commodity display unit having aforward delivery rail frame with lots of rollers mounted on the railframe in the form of descending frontward, and a side panel sectiondetachably or undetachably formed in the middle portion of the railframe for guiding the commodities; wherein two or more of the forwarddelivery rail frames are used as a combination in the commodity displayunit; a commodity fall-down preventing section is installed in the frontsection of a commodity display shelf; there is a slide plate forpositioning the rail frame; a distance between the side panels suitablefor the size of the commodity is set without restraint by selecting anengagement position of the slide plate for positioning along withcombining the two or more rail frames with one another. Such aconstitution makes it possible to adjust delicately the width betweenthe partitions for the commodities while leaving the commodities as theyare.

Also, the present invention provides a commodity display unit having aforward delivery rail frame with lots of rollers mounted on the railframe in the form of descending frontward, a side panel sectiondetachably or undetachably formed in the middle portion of the railframe for guiding the commodities, and an engagement projection which isdisposed at the front end of the rail frame; two or more of the railframes are used as a combination in the commodity display unit; acommodity fall-down preventing section has an engagement groove forengaging with the engagement projection and is installed in the frontsection of a commodity display shelf; a distance between the side panelssuitable for the size of the commodity is set without restraint byselecting an engagement position of the commodity fall-down preventingsection along with combining the two or more forward delivery railframes with one another. By using such a constitution, the presentinvention has the advantages similar to those of the invention withoutusing a pitch fixing plate for positioning.

Also, the present invention is directed to a commodity display unitwherein the forward delivery rail frame is fitted with the pitch-fixingplate for positioning and forming one united body thereof. According tosuch a constitution, the forward delivery rail frames can be connectedto one another and positioned based on a size of the commodity by usingthe pitch fixing plate for positioning them united with the forwarddelivery rail frame; the resultant connected frames as they stand can bemounted on the commodity display shelf in such a manner as to direct oneside of the rail frame, the one side positioned in a commodity take-outsection, to the door side of the commodity display shelf; thecommodities, when placed on the frame, automatically move frontward tothe one side positioned in the commodity take-out section via therollers; and then the design over the commodity display shelf can beshifted irrespective of the size of the commodity or its display shelf.

Also, the present invention is directed to a commodity display unitwherein the slide plate for positioning the rail frame is provided inthe forward delivery rail frame to form one united body. By employingthis constitution, the invention of this feature has the advantagessimilar to those of the previously described embodiment.

Again, the present invention is directed to a commodity display unitfurther having a forward delivery rail frame with lots of rollersmounted thereon in the form of sloping down frontwardly and a sidepanel, for guiding the commodities, formed detachably or undetachably atone side end portion of the rail frame. By employing this constitution,the invention has, besides the advantages similar to those of earlierdescribed embodiments, the ability to eliminate dead spaces in thedisplay space and hence fully utilize the display area when the forwarddelivery rail frames with the side panels as above are used in such amanner that the side panels are positioned at the side ends of thedisplay shelf.

Likewise, the present invention is directed to a commodity display unitwherein the commodity fall-down preventing section has an engagementgroove holding detachably a commodity fall-down preventing panel.According to such a constitution, the invention is provided with theability to fit the commodity fall-down preventing panel conformable tothe size, weight or the like of the commodity into the groove, toprevent the commodities from surely falling down, and to make thecommodity display shelf safe and attractive, in addition to theadvantages similar to those described earlier.

Also, the present invention is directed to a commodity display unitwherein the state where the rollers slope down and frontward is obtainedby mounting nearly horizontally the rollers on the forward delivery railframes and by sloping down the rail frames toward a commodity take-outsection. By using such a constitution, the present invention has,besides the advantages similar to those of other embodiments, theability to set freely the angle of inclination of the rollers incompliance with the condition of the commodities, and hence, when thethus set rail frames are mounted on the commodity display shelf as theyare, the commodities on the rollers can be moved toward the commoditytake-out section side, conformably to the conditions involved, by thecomponent of force constantly applied to the commodities.

Also, the present invention is directed to a commodity display unitwherein the rollers are replaced with a slide material. According to ause of such a constitution, the commodity display unit can have a widervariation and increase room for the selection in changing the designthereof, in addition to the advantages similar to those discussed above.

Then, the present invention is directed to a commodity display unitwherein the forward delivery rail frames are positioned together byforming a width adjustment spacer corresponding to a width of at leastone commodity in the end portion of the side panel, the end portionbeing positioned in the commodity take-out section of the rail frame.Such a constitution results in, besides presenting the advantagessimilar to those mentioned previously, conducting the most suitablepositioning for taking out the commodities smoothly and automatically bylightly pressing the width adjustment spacer formed as above for thecommodity to thereby determine a distance between the side panels and byonly connecting the commodity forward delivery rail frames to oneanother as they stand by the positioning and fixing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the using state of a commoditydisplay unit in an embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the commodity display unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing a cross section of a forwarddelivery rail frame used in an embodiment according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing a cross section of a forwarddelivery rail frame used in another embodiment according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing a cross section of a forwarddelivery rail frame used in another embodiment according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a cross section of a forwarddelivery rail frame used in another embodiment according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing a plan view of the using state ofa commodity display unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view schematically showing a plan view of the using state ofa commodity display unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view schematically showing a plan view of the using state ofa commodity display unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view schematically showing a plan view of the using stateof a commodity display unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing part of a pitch-fixing plate forsize adjustment used in the fixing state in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an assembling state of a commoditydisplay unit of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an assembling state of a commoditydisplay unit of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the using state of a commoditydisplay unit of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the using state of a commoditydisplay unit of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view for explaining the function of a commodityfall-down preventing panel;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an assembling state of a commoditydisplay unit of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the using state of a commoditydisplay unit of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing part of a commodity display unitin FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing another of the part of a commoditydisplay unit in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a partial plan view showing a commodity display unit in theusing state;

FIGS. 22 through 26 are perspective views showing the assembling statesof commodity display units in other embodiments according to the presentinvention, respectively; and

FIG. 27 is a view showing one embodiment of a commodity display caseadapted to employ a commodity display unit according to the presentinvention.

The symbols in the figures denote as follow: (1 a) to (1 n) are each afrontal advancing frame; (2) is a fall-down preventing panel; (3) is apositioning pitch fixing plate; (3 a) is a positioning slide fixingplate; (10), (101 a) to (101 e) are each a commodity display unit; (11)is a roller, (15) is a side panel; and (19) is an outside frame.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a commodity display unit in an embodimentaccording to the present invention will be explained hereinafter. FIG. 1is a perspective view showing the using state of the commodity displayunit in a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view wherein therespective components of the commodity display unit in FIG. 1 aredisassembled. The commodity display unit 10 comprises a pair of forwarddelivery rail frames 1 a and 1 b, a pitch fixing plate 3 forpositioning, and a commodity fall-down preventing section 2. The forwarddelivery rail frame 1 a comprises: a main body section 44 where a rollermounting section 45 is separated into two sections by bothright-and-left outside frames 19 each made of thin plate and by a sidepanel 15 supported by an outer frame and positioned in the middleportion of the section 45; and a front section 41 having an engagementprojection 42 at its end, thus as a whole sloping down frontward toshape as a result what is called a playground slide. On a side panelsupport 18, nearly cylindrical bearing holes 181 are laid from the upperend of the support 18 at predetermined intervals, and also engagementholes 17 b for engaging with engagement portions 17 a of the side panel15 are formed at predetermined intervals. The side panel 15 having aninverted T-shaped cross section is provided with an end plate 16 at therear end thereof for aiding in fitting the side panel 15 into the sidepanel support 18 and with five pieces of engagement portions 17 a on thereverse side thereof, at predetermined intervals. The side panel 15 hasa function of providing a partition along each side of the commoditieson display and also a function as a restraint plate for restrainingroller shafts 13 from bouncing out.

Lots of rollers 11 so rotatably formed as to slide the commodities 53forward are disposed on the roller mounting section 45. A roller 11comprises a roller main body 14 and the roller shafts 13 disposed onboth sides of the ma body 14 and smaller in diameter than the body 14,and two sections of disposed roller groups are provided by pivotallysupporting the roller shafts 13 with the aid of shaft holes 12 formed inthe right-and-left outside frames 19 and 19 and of the bearing holes181. After the rollers are disposed, the slide panels 15 are fitted intothe side panel support 18, which produces the groups of lots of rollerslaid rotatably-in the form of sloping down frontward.

The pitch fixing plate 3 for positioning comprises a front projectionsection 32 and a rear projection section 33 obtained by juxtaposingnumerous projections on a flat base plate 31 along right-and-leftpositions. There are produced the grooves corresponding to the portions(pitches) between the adjoining projections, and by inserting theoutside frames 19 into the grooves, the frontal advancing rail frame issecured thereto. Also, one end portion of the base plate 31 is fittedwith connecting hands 34 for connecting with another pitch fixing plate3 for positioning, which makes it possible to comply with displayshelves with a variety of width lengths.

The commodity fall-down preventing section 2 designed to be installed inthe front section of the commodity display shelf, comprises: a commodityfall-down preventing main section 21 having an engagement groove 24adapted to be detachably engaged with a commodity fall-down preventingpanel 23; a magnet sheet affixed to the reverse surface of the mainsection 21 for fixing the preventing section 2 to the display shelf; atongue-shaped contact 25 extending from the bottom of the main section21 backward and contacting with the front section 41 of the rail frame;and an engagement groove 26 adjacent to the engagement groove 24 andengaging with an engagement projection 42 of the rail frame. Thepreventing plate 23 is made of transparent oblong acrylic resin platematerial and detachably supported by the engagement groove 24.

The usage method of the commodity display unit 10 formed as above isdescribed next. There are prepared two frontal advancing rail frames 1 aand 1 b each of which is provided with a roller group of numerousrollers rotatably mounted thereon in the form of sloping down frontwardand with the side panel disposed in the middle thereof. Then, the pitchfixing plates 3 for positioning are juxtaposed in the about middleportion of a display shelf board in conformity with the display width.By making a combination of the two frontal advancing rail frames 1 a and1 b and selecting the pitch grooves of the pitch fixing plates, 3 thedistance between the side plates fit for the commodity to be displayedis determined, thus fixing the rail frames to the plates 3. Next, thecommodity fall-down preventing panel 23 has only to be engaged with theengagement groove 24. In the case of fitting the engagement projections42 of the frontal advancing rail frames 1 a and 1 b the engagementgroove 26, the whole of the assembled unit can be rendered strong andfixed stably to the display shelf. In FIG. 1, furthermore, by employinganother frontal advancing rail frame 1 c, the three frontal advancingrail frames 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c are prepared and assembled so as toadvancing the commodity from the forefront of the two columns ofcommodities. In the embodiment of the present invention having such aconstitution, the side panel of one frontal advancing rail frame servesto provide a partition along one side of one column of commodities andthe side panel of the other frontal advancing rail frame serves toprovide a partition along the other side of the one column ofcommodities, and hence the two frontal advancing rail frames enable onecolumn of commodities to be advanced from the front side as they remainsin the form of being displayed. Also, the display unit of the embodimentis easy in inventory management, and the design change is readilycarried out according to e.g. size of the commodity to be displayed. Asfor a commodity never needing to contact with the rollers in the middleportion between the side panels, e.g., a canned product having its broadbottom, the two rail frames can be separately installed so that therotating rollers are capable of being thinned out to thereby render thedisplay unit inexpensive. Furthermore, it is possible to set thecommodity fall-down preventing panel conformable to the size, weight orthe like of the commodity to be displayed, which can surely prevent anycommodity from falling down and render the display unit safe andpleasing in appearance.

In the frontal advancing rail frame, positional relations of the rollermounting section thereon and the side panel positioned in the middleportion thereof are never limited and infinite in number, for example,those of FIG. 3 through FIG. 5 are shown. A positional relation of theroller mounting section and the side panel disposed on one side end ofthe rail frame is depicted in FIG. 6. FIG. 3 through FIG. 6 are each aview schematically illustrating a cross section of the frontal advancingrail frame. In FIG. 3, the numbers 11, 20, 201, and 19 denote theroller, the frontal advancing rail frame main body, a roller supportingplate, and the outside frame of the frame, respectively. The frontaladvancing rail frames 1 d and 1 e each comprises the side panel 15deviated slightly to the left from the middle portion, a single columnof rollers laid on the left side of the middle portion, and two columnsof rollers laid on the right side of the middle portion whilesandwiching the roller supporting plate 201 therebetween, and the thusobtained frames 1 d and 1 e are combined a little separately forreceiving the commodity 53 thereon.

As for FIG. 4, the same components as those of FIG. 3 are shown by thesame symbols and omitted in explanation, and then only the differencetherebetween is described. Namely, in the frontal advancing rail frame 1f of FIG. 4, what is different from that of FIG. 3 is that a combinationof the two frames is omitted so as to schematically illustrate one frameonly and the roller group on the right side of the side panel 15 isformed into a single column of rollers.

As for FIG. 5, the same components as those of FIG. 3 are shown by thesame symbols and omitted in explanation, and then only the differencetherebetween is described. Namely, in the frontal advancing rail frame 1g of FIG. 5, what is different from that of FIG. 3 is that a combinationof the two frames is omitted so as to schematically illustrate one frameonly; the side frame t5 is formed in the middle; and two columns ofrollers are each laid on each of the right-and-left sides of the sideframe 15 while sandwiching the roller supporting plate 201 therebetween.

As for FIG. 6, the same components as those of FIG. 3 are shown by thesame symbols and omitted in explanation, and then only the differencetherebetween is described. Namely, the frame of FIG. 6 is designed to beapplied on both the right-and-left ends of the display shelf, whereinthe side panel 15 is formed on one outside frame 19 of the rail frame.When such a frame is combined with any frontal advancing frame depictedin FIG. 3 through FIG. 5 each having the side panel in the middle, thenthe display area on the display shelf can be efficiently utilized.

As an aspect where the at least two frontal advancing frames 1, and thepitch fixing plate 3 for positioning or the front engagement relations42 and 26 are combined to be fixed to one another, those shown in FIG. 7through FIG. 10 are indicated. FIG. 7 through FIG. 10 are views eachschematically showing a plane view in which the commodity display unitof the present invention is in the using state. Also, FIG. 7 illustratesan aspect where the front sections of three frontal advancing frames 1a, 1 b, and 1 c are fixed by a pitch fixing plate 3 for positioning.FIG. 8 illustrates an aspect where the middle sections of three frontaladvancing frames 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c are fixed by a pitch fixing plate 3for positioning. FIG. 9 illustrates an aspect where the three frames 1a, 1 b, and 1 c are fixed by engaging the engagement projections 42provided on the front sections of the three rail frames 1 a, 1 b, and 1c with the engagement groove 26 of the commodity fall-down preventingsection. Again, FIG. 10 shows a variation of the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 8, this aspect is enabled to be applied to a deep shelf byengaging a pitch fixing plate 4 for size adjustment with the frontsection of the frontal advancing frame. That is, FIG. 11 illustratespart of the pitch fixing plate 4 for size adjustment, which comprises;an engagement section 5 b with which the front sections of the threeframes 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c are engaged; an extension section 5 a slightlydescending frontward and having numerous longitudinal grooves at thefront part; and the commodity fall-down preventing section 2. Thissection 2 can be omitted or else employed, and its width length isfreely adjusted in the range of that of the frontal advancing frame 1 orso to that of the display shelf. Also, it is thinkable to combine thefixing aspect in FIG. 9 with that in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 or FIG. 10, however,such an aspect is omitted from any view.

Referring to FIG. 12 through FIG. 16, a commodity display unit ofanother embodiment according to the present invention is explained. FIG.12 through FIG. 15 are each a perspective view showing the commoditydisplay unit in the using state, and FIG. 16 is a schematic view forexplaining the function of the commodity fall-down preventing panel usedin FIG. 15.

As for FIGS. 12 and 13, the same components as those of FIGS. 1 and 2are denoted by the same symbols and omitted in explanation, and thenonly the difference is mainly described next. That is, the maindifference in respect of FIG. 12 is that the engagement-type side panel15 and the pitch fixing plate for positioning are replaced with adetachable plate material 15 a and a positioning slide plate 3 a forpositioning, respectively. Accordingly, an engagement groove 161 for theplate material 15 a is provided at the rear portion of the frame mainbody, and an engagement groove 17 c for the plate material 15 a isprovided on the side panel support 18. The side panel section of theplate material 15 a is rectangular and made of resin, wherein anengagement section 153 and a partition section 151 for commodity areseparated by a groove 152. A main body 32 of the positioning slide plate3 a, having a cuneal cross section, is provided with a groove 81 so asto slide the frontal advancing frames 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c withoutrestraint in the right-and-left direction. Accordingly, the engagementposition of the rail frame can be set at any desirable position inaccordance with the width of the commodity involved. Also, thiscommodity display unit, when used, is combined with the commodityfall-down preventing section omitted from the figure. FIG. 13 is thesame as FIG. 12 except that the plate material for the side panel inFIG. 12 is replaced with a wire rod 15 b. The side panel section of thewire rod 15 b, in the form of U-shape or so, comprises a main body 156,an engagement section 154, and a reinforcement material 155, so as to bedetachably fitted into the grooves 161 and 17 c of the rail frame.

As for FIG. 14, the same components as those of FIGS. 1 and 2 aredenoted by the same symbols and omitted in explanation, and then onlythe difference is mainly described next. Namely, the main difference inFIG. 14 is directed to the shape of the rail frame, the commodityfall-down preventing panel, and the pitch Gag plate for size adjustment.The frontal advancing rail frames 1A and 1B in FIG. 14 are each of thinbox-type without any inclination and designed to be placed on a shelf 40having an angle of inclination α when installed. On the other hand, thecommodity fall-down preventing panel 23A comprises an upper section 27bending toward the commodities, and a contact section 28 to be contactedwith the commodities in the upper section 27. In the past, a verticallylong PET bottle product 53 a has been likely to fall down; however, thethus structured panel 23A eliminates the risk of such a fall-downbecause of contacting with a high point 532 of the product 53 a (FIG.16). The pitch fixing plate 4 for size adjustment unitedly formed withthe commodity fall-down preventing section conducts the positioning ofthe frames 1A and 1B.

As for FIG. 15, the same components as those of FIGS. 1 and 2 aredenoted by the same symbols and omitted in explanation, and then onlythe difference is mainly described next. Namely, the main difference inFIG. 15 is directed to the commodity fall-down preventing section. Thatis, the commodity fall-down preventing section 2 in FIG. 15 comprisesthe pitch fixing plate 4 for size adjustment, a front side panelengagement groove 25 a engaging with the side panel 15 a, and thecommodity fall-down preventing panel engagement groove 24. The pitchfixing plate 4 and the engagement groove 25 a have each a connectinghand 34 a at its side end. The commodity fall-down preventing panel 23Adetachably supported by the commodity fall-down preventing section 2 hasthe same function as that described above in respect of FIG. 4.

Hereinafter, taking another embodiment, the present invention isdescribed in detail based upon FIG. 17 through FIG. 26. FIG. 17 is aprospective view showing the assembling state of the commodity displayunit according to another embodiment; FIG. 18 is a perspective viewillustrating the using state of the display unit; and FIG. 19 is aperspective view illustrating the main portion of the display unit. Inthese figures, referring to the commodity display unit 101 wherein thelots of rollers 11 are mounted on the frontal advancing frame 1 i andthe commodities 53 on the rollers 11 are moved toward the commoditytake-out section A, the display unit 101 comprises: a commodity frontaladvancing device 6 having the side panel 15 so mounted on the frontaladvancing frame 1 i as to partition the frame 1 i parallel to thefront-to-back direction and thereby guide the commodities; and the slidefixing plate for positioning 7 designed to determine a distance betweenthe side panels 15 conformably to the wide length of the commodity andto connect the frontal advancing devices 6 to one another and fix theirpositions, wherein the slide fixing plate for positioning 7 and thefrontal advancing devices 6 are fitted to each other to form one unitedbody.

In the forward delivery rail frame 1 i, an outside frame 19 c positionedat the commodity take-out section A and the other outside frame 19 dopposite thereto are fitted to both ends of two outside frames 19 a and19 b each diminishing in width toward the commodity take-out section A,and the upper end surfaces of the two outside frames 19 a and 19 bdecline from the side panel 19 d to the side panel 19 c. The lower endsurface of the side panel 19 a is trenched to form concave grooves 14 bbetween which a convex portion 14 a is provided so as to form a jaggedengagement section. The side panel 15, mounted on the frame 1 i asabove, partitions the frame 1 i at a slightly deviated position to theleft as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 instead of equally partitioningit parallel to the longitudinal direction of the frame 1 i.

Then, the lots of rollers 11 are rotatably disposed between the sidepanel 15 and the outside frame 19 a and between the side panel 15 andthe outside frame 19 b respectively along the upper end surfaces of theoutside frames 19 a and 19 b each declining toward the take-out sectionA. Accordingly, the commodities on the lots of rollers 11 move towardthe take-out position A owing to the constant applied component of forcederived from the deadweight of the commodities. In FIG. 18, the symbol23 denotes the commodity fall-down preventing panel, which serves toprevent the commodities from toppling or dropping and is held by aholding device 121.

A width adjustment spacer 115 is provided in the end portion, located atthe take-out position, of the side panel 15 so as to form one unitedbody therewith. The spacer 115 is formed to correspond to at least onecommodity. This is arranged because the sizes of the commodities aredifferent according to the kind thereof and the width adjustment spacers115 have to sandwich one commodity therebetween in order to determinethe best distance between the side panels 15 and position the commodityadvancing devices 6 together. Furthermore, the thickness of the spacer115 is determined by seeing what is required of the clearance betweenthe side panel 15 and the commodity 53 in order to move most smoothlythe commodities 53 on the plurality of rollers 11 between the sidepanels (partition) 15 each having no spacer 115 toward the take-outsection A. That is, the thickness of the spacer 115 is fixed based onexperiments and empirical rules relating to all kinds of commodities.The spacer 115 a may be detachably set in the end portion of the sidepanel 15 as shown in FIG. 20. Such a spacer 115 a can convenientlyprovide the advancing device 6 a having no width adjustment functionwith such a function.

The slide fixing plate for positioning 7 comprising a rectangular notch117 formed in a horizontal plate 116 and a hook section 118 positionedin the notch 117, is fitted to the elongate outside frame 19 b of therail frame 1 i of the frontal advancing device 6 so as to form oneunited body therewith. The rectangular notch 117 and the horizontalplate 116 of the slide fixing plate for positioning 7 are enabled toengage with the concave groove 14 b formed in the lower end surface ofthe outside frame 19 a of the rail frame 1 i, and the hook section 118is permitted to engage with the convex portion 14 a between the grooves14 b, thus defining the maximum width of the commodity 53 allowed to belaid between the frontal advancing devices 6.

Next, the usage method of the commodity display unit 101 constituted asabove is explained. First, there are prepared a necessary number of thecommodity display units 101 each obtained by fitting the slide fixingplate for positioning 7 to the outside frame 19 a of the frontaladvancing device 6 for united one body. That is, at least two or moredisplay units 101 with which the respective spacers 115 are united areprepared, or else the detachable spacers 115 and the display units 101each comprising the frontal advancing device 6 a having no widthadjustment function are prepared, Subsequently, the two or more displayunits 101 are received and placed on the commodity display shelf 51shown in FIG. 27 in such a manner that the outside frame 19 c of thefrontal advancing device 6 faces to the door 55. The commodity frontaladvancing device 6 a in FIG. 20 becomes similar to the device 6 byfitting the spacer 115 a into the end portion of the side panel 15 ofthe device 6 a. The positioning of the frontal advancing devices 6 isconducted by: engaging the slide fixing plate for position 7 of onefrontal advancing device 6 with the other frontal advancing device 6;placing the commodities 53 on the lots of rollers 11 between the widthadjustment spacers 115 of the two devices 6; and moving the two devices6 fitted into the slide fixing plate for positioning 7 until the spacer115 contacts lightly with the commodity 53, thus easily carrying out thepositioning, connecting the two devices 6 to each other, and fixing thedevices at the positions. In the case of placing additional commodities53, it has only to be needed to add the display units 101 to the abovein sequence and conduct the same work as above on each occasion. Asillustrated in FIG. 21, on removing the commodities 53 in this state,the width length X between the width adjustment spacers 115 is nearlyequal to the width length Y of the commodity 53; the width length Zbetween the side panels 115 is appropriately larger than the widthlength Y of the commodity 53 (X≈Y<Z); the length between the side panels115 is set optimum; hence, on taking out the commodity 53, the followingcommodities 53 are guided by the side panels 15 each having no spacer115; and then the forefront commodity 53 moves until it contacts withthe commodity fall-down preventing panel 23.

FIG. 22 shows the commodity display unit 101 a of another embodiment ofthe present invention, and what is different from the unit 101 in FIG.17 through FIG. 21 is as follows: the lots of rollers 11 are nearlyhorizontally mounted on the frontal advancing rail fame 1 j of thefrontal advancing device 6 b; when used, the rail frame 1 j is declinedtoward the commodity take-out section A, thus allowing the angle ofinclination of the lots of rollers 11 to be freely set according to thestate of the commodities 53; on mounting the frame 1 j, as it is, on thecommodity display shelf 51 or the like shown in FIG. 27, the commodities53 on the lots of rollers 11 can be moved toward the take-out section Aby the constant applied component of force derived from the deadweightof the commodities 53 in compliance with the state of the commodities53. Other constitutions and functions are similar to those of thecommodity display unit 101 illustrated in FIG. 17 through FIG. 21, andhence the explanation is omitted while affixing the related symbols onthe figures.

FIG. 23 shows the commodity display unit 101 b of another embodiment ofthe present invention, and what is different from the unit 101 in FIG.17 through FIG. 21 is as follows: the pitch fixing plate 7 a forpositioning, formed in one united body with the commodity frontaladvancing device 6 c, is provided with a positioning pitch plate 119designed to define a distance between the side panels 15; hence, theprojections (not shown) of the concave grooves 14 b are fitted into thepitches 119 a of the pitch plate 119 while conforming the devices 6 ctogether to the size of the commodity 53; and then surely conducting theconnection between the devices 6 c and the positioning thereof.Incidentally, this commodity display unit 101 b does not bear the widthadjustment spacer 115 because the pitches 119 a of the pitch plate 119serve to define the distance between the side panels 15 to resultantlydispense with the spacers. Other constitutions and functions are similarto those of the commodity display unit 101 illustrated in FIG. 17through FIG. 21, and hence the explanation is omitted while affixing therelated symbols on the figures.

FIG. 24 illustrates the commodity display unit 101 c in anotherembodiment of the present invention, what is different from the displayunit 101 a shown in FIG. 22 is that a ribby slide material 218 replacesthe lots of rollers. That is, in the figure, the upper plate 210 of thefrontal advancing frame 1 l separates into the upper plate 210 a of theoutside frame 19 b and the upper plate 210 b of the outside frame 19 cthrough the intermediary of the side plate 15 as a boundary. The ribbyslide material 218 is nearly horizontally applied onto the upper plates210 a and 210 b, the frontal advancing rail frame 1 l is declined towardthe commodity take-out section A when used. There exist no limits to theribby slide material 218, however, whose coefficient of friction μpreferably approximates to zero as much as possible, needless to say.Accordingly, on selecting the material 218 with a coefficient offriction μ equivalent to the rolling friction of the lots of rollers 11used in the previous embodiments and then slanting this rail frame 1 lat the same inclination of angle, the commodities 53 on the material 218moves toward the frontal take-out section A by the constant appliedcomponent of force derived from the deadweight, similarly to theprevious embodiment using the rollers 11.

As for FIG. 25, the same components as those of FIG. 24 are denoted bythe same symbols and omitted in explanation, and then only thedifference therebetween is described next. Namely, in the embodiment ofFIG. 25, what is different from the embodiment in FIG. 24 is that aplanate slide material 218 a replaces the ribby slide material. Thereexist no limits to the planate slide material 218 a, and what isobtained by applying a lubricant to the surface of the upper plate 210may be acceptable.

As for FIG. 26, the same components as those of FIG. 23 are denoted bythe same symbols and omitted in explanation, and then only thedifference therebetween is described next. Namely, in the embodiment ofFIG. 26, what is different from the embodiment in FIG. 23 is that theribby slide material 218 replaces the lots of rollers. In the figure,the constitution of the ribby slide material is similar to that in FIG.24. Also, in the present invention, it may be possible that the frontaladvancing rail frame 1 is separated into two sections by using the sidepanel 15 as a boundary; the slide material is nearly horizontallyapplied onto one section and the rollers is nearly horizontally appliedonto the other section; and then the frontal advancing rail frame isslant toward the commodity frontal take-out section.

There are no limits to the display shelf where the commodity displayunit of the present invention is used, and it may be exemplified by: thedisplay shelf of the commodity display case 50 as shown in FIG. 27; andhorizontal shelves, sloping shelves or the like of the gondola or thelike in supermarkets, drugstores or the like.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, by fitly combining two or more ofthe frontal rail frames with one another, a commodity display spaceconformable to the size of the commodity to be displayed is provided,and simultaneously the resultant frontal advancing rail frames are setin the form of sloping down frontward. From this, the side panel of onefrontal advancing rail frame provides a partition along one side of thecommodities; the side panel of another frontal advancing rail frameprovides a partition along the other side of the commodities; and hencethe two rail frames enable a column of commodities to be frontallyadvanced while keeping it in the form of being displayed. Especially,the positioning slide plate makes it possible to delicately set thewidth while mounting the commodities on the frontal advancing railframe. Also, the inventory management is easy and the design change canbe readily made according to e.g. the size of the commodity to bedisplayed. Regarding to such a commodity not to need to contact with therollers in the middle portion between the side panels, e.g., a cannedproduct having its broad bottom, it is allowed to install the twofrontal advancing rail frames in the form of being separated from oneanother, hence it is possible to thin out the slide material e.g. therollers and make the commodity display unit inexpensive. Furthermore,even a vertically long product having a center of gravity highlypositioned is unlikely to drop frontward. Thus, the commodity can beautomatically advanced from the front side of the unit irrespective ofits size; naturally, the frontal rail frames corresponding to a varietyof commodity sizes never need to be kept in stock; the design is easilychangeable without being restricted by the commodity size; and then anyinventory management is hardly needed because of a simply structured andunitedly formed product. Also, according to the present invention, themost suitable positioning for smooth frontal advancing is conducted byonly contacting lightly the width adjustment spacer fitted in the sidepanel (partition) of the frontal advancing frame with the commodity soas to determine a distance between the side plates and by connecting therail frames as it is to one another via the positioning and fixingdevice. Therefore, in addition to the above advantage, the most suitablepositioning can be easily completed according to the commodity size; thecommodity can be smoothly, surely and automatically advanced frontallywithout being damaged; and then it becomes possible to effectivelyutilize the space within e.g. the commodity display case because ofdispensing with such a positioning as to need an excessive space.

What is claimed is:
 1. A commodity display unit comprising: at least twoadjacent forward delivery rail frames, each having a plurality ofrollers mounted thereon and inclined downwardly; at least two adjacentside panel sections, one of each being disposed in a middle portion ofeach of the rail frames and configured to guide therebetween a pluralityof commodities over a space separating the two adjacent rail frames; andat least two end plates, one of each being disposed on each of the sidepanel sections and being positioned at a rear part of the rail frames;wherein a distance between the two adjacent side panel sections isadjustable to accommodate a width of the plurality of commodities beingguided therebetween over the space separating the two adjacent railframes by moving at least one of the two adjacent rail frames laterallytowards or away from the other of the two adjacent rail frames.
 2. Acommodity display unit according to claim 1, further comprising: apitch-fixing plate configured to position the rail frames at a selectedangle of inclination, said pitch-fixing plate being provided as a singleintegral body.
 3. A commodity display unit according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a commodity fall-prevention panel disposed at a front partof the rail frames and provided with an engagement groove.
 4. Acommodity display unit according to claim 1, wherein: said plurality ofrollers is mounted on each of the rail frames and is inclined downwardlyby mounting the plurality of rollers substantially horizontally on eachof the rail frames and by inclining each of the rail frames downwardlytowards a commodity take-out section when the rail frames are in use. 5.A commodity display unit according to claim 1, wherein: said pluralityof rollers moves along a sliding surface of each of the rail frames. 6.A commodity display unit comprising: at least two adjacent forwarddelivery rail frames, each having a plurality of rollers mounted thereonand inclined downwardly; at least two adjacent side panel sections, oneof each being disposed in a middle portion of each of the rail framesand configured to guide therebetween a plurality of commodities over aspace separating the two adjacent rail frames; a jagged engagementsection provided on a bottom of each of the rail frames; and a slideplate being configured to position one of the two rail frames discretefrom another one of the rail frames and having an engagement sectionwhich slidably engages with the jagged engagement section; wherein adistance between the two adjacent side panel sections is adjustable toaccommodate a width of the plurality of commodities being guidedtherebetween over the space separating the two adjacent rail frames bymoving at least one of the two adjacent rail frames.
 7. A commoditydisplay unit according to claim 6, further comprising: at least two endplates, one of each being disposed on each of the side panel sectionsand being positioned at a rear part of the rail frames.
 8. A commoditydisplay unit according to claim 6, further comprising: a commodityfall-prevention panel disposed at a front part of the rail frames andprovided with an engagement groove.
 9. A commodity display unitaccording to claim 6, wherein: said plurality of rollers is mounted oneach of the rail frames and is inclined downwardly by mounting theplurality of rollers substantially horizontally on each of the railframes and by inclining each of the rail frames downwardly towards acommodity take-out section when the rail frames are in use.
 10. Acommodity display unit according to claim 6, wherein: said plurality ofrollers moves along a sliding surface of each of the rail frames.